BUILDERS have been warned that fines totaling thousands of dollars could soon be issued in response to the “large number” of work sites around the city with inadequate safety and tidiness measures in place. In the early parts of this month, Orange City Council gave builders notice that its environmental and building inspectors will be attending building sites to check for unsafe practices. It is understood that blitz will commence next week. Council’s Planning and Development Committee chair Russell Turner said it’s important for the safety of workers and the appearance of the neighbourhood that builders take their responsibilities seriously. “It’s become clear that a large number of residential building sites around the city are not being maintained to a satisfactory standard,” Cr Turner said. “A poorly maintained worksite can add to the risk of accidents for employees as well as impacting on the appearance of the neighbourhood.” Cr Turner said the blitz was, at least in part, in response to feedback from worried citizens. “Community members are telling the council they are concerned about litter from building sites,” he said. “This campaign is about reminding responsible site managers and builders of their obligations to make sure construction sites are set up and maintained in line with development consent conditions and best practice.” If problems are found, builders will be given time to bring sites up to scratch before a follow-up inspection where on-the-spot fines of $8000 per infraction can be issued. “We want to give every opportunity for the people in charge of building sites to clean them up and make sure they are safe and in line with industry best practice,” Cr Turner said. “But if builders don’t do the right thing, then fines are a tool in the council toolbox that will be used.” The list of potential problems builders are responsible to maintain includes sediment controls being installed and maintained to prevent mud and silt from flowing into neighbouring properties, ensuring there’s only one vehicle access-way to the site, providing on-site toilet facilities and adequate waste control measures like skip bins, and storing building materials away from footpaths, roads and public reserves.

IN THE FRAME: Orange City Council inspectors will be looking for unsafe or untidy practices on building sites in its upcoming blitz. Photo: FILE PHOTO

BUILDERS have been warned that fines totaling thousands of dollars could soon be issued in response to the “large number” of work sites around the city with inadequate safety and tidiness measures in place.

In the early parts of this month, Orange City Council gave builders notice that its environmental and building inspectors will be attending building sites to check for unsafe practices.

It is understood that blitz will commence next week.

It’s become clear that a large number of residential building sites around the city are not being maintained to a satisfactory standard.

Councillor Russell Turner

Council’s Planning and Development Committee chair Russell Turner said it’s important for the safety of workers and the appearance of the neighbourhood that builders take their responsibilities seriously.

“It’s become clear that a large number of residential building sites around the city are not being maintained to a satisfactory standard,” Cr Turner said.

“A poorly maintained worksite can add to the risk of accidents for employees as well as impacting on the appearance of the neighbourhood.”

WARNING ISSUED: Councillor Russell Turner.

Cr Turner said the blitz was, at least in part, in response to feedback from worried citizens.

“Community members are telling the council they are concerned about litter from building sites,” he said.

“This campaign is about reminding responsible site managers and builders of their obligations to make sure construction sites are set up and maintained in line with development consent conditions and best practice.”

If problems are found, builders will be given time to bring sites up to scratch before a follow-up inspection where on-the-spot fines of $8000 per infraction can be issued.

“We want to give every opportunity for the people in charge of building sites to clean them up and make sure they are safe and in line with industry best practice,” Cr Turner said.

“But if builders don’t do the right thing, then fines are a tool in the council toolbox that will be used.”

The list of potential problems builders are responsible to maintain includes sediment controls being installed and maintained to prevent mud and silt from flowing into neighbouring properties, ensuring there’s only one vehicle access-way to the site, providing on-site toilet facilities and adequate waste control measures like skip bins, and storing building materials away from footpaths, roads and public reserves.